Turkey Says Hundreds of ‘Terrorists’ Killed So Far

President
Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he would “open the doors” for 3.6 million refugees
currently in Turkey to seek shelter in Europe, should his country come under
undue criticism.

Erdogan’s
threats on Thursday came a day after Turkish troops began a major incursion
into northeastern Syria, drawing criticism from the U.S., many European nations
and Arab states.

The
cross-border military offensive, code-named “Peace Spring,” resulted in deaths
of hundreds of “terrorists” since it began on Wednesday, according to Turkey’s
military. The operation against U.S.-backed Kurdish militant groups and Islamic
State started three days after President Donald Trump said U.S. troops in the
area wouldn’t stand in the way.

Erdogan
delivered a warning to European nations against calling his Syria campaign an
“invasion” a day after Turkish troops began their advance across the
border.U.S. senators including Lindsey Graham, a key Trump ally, slammed the
incursion and threatened to punish Ankara.Trump floated the idea of mediating
between Turkey and Kurdish militants.Seven civilians have been killed on the
Turkish side as a result of shelling from areas held by Kurdish militants in
Syria. Turkey’s military says it killed hundreds of “terrorists” in the
meantime.Turkish state banks have been trying to buoy the currency amid a rout
in the nation’s markets. The lira was trading 0.1% weaker at 8:34 a.m. in
Istanbul on Friday, after a 0.6% advance on Thursday.

Turkey’s
Defense Ministry said 277 fighters of the Kurdish militant group YPG have been
killed since the operation began, a claim that was impossible to verify
independently. The ministry said a Turkish soldier was also killed during
clashes.